There always seems to be some fresh new variety of evil to dispatch, too, even after dozens of hours. Spriggan tree-women and screeching sabre cats prowl windswept mountain trails. Regenerating trolls and mechanical spiders lurk in forgotten underground dens. Your quarry won't behave with much intelligence — sometimes the buggers can't even negotiate obstacles well enough to get within striking distance — but raise the difficulty a notch from the default setting, and you'll face plenty of formidable challenges. (Thank goodness you can save your game at almost any time.)

For all the intense skirmishes that await, though, none can rival the full-body tension of going blade-to-wing with one of Skyrim's many dragons. Some breathe torrents of fire that set even solid rock temporarily aflame, while others favor numbing blasts of icy wind. No two of these grand confrontations are ever the same. Early encounters are likely to be in the company of well-equipped NPCs, but expect your lungs to empty in shock the first time you crest a hillside on your own and see one of these creatures flapping in the distance. True, you'll feel your heart quicken any time you discover an unexplored network of monster-infested caves or grand temples built for unknown purposes, just as you surely did in Oblivion. Often you'll venture into the dark for what you imagine will be a quick peep, only to find yourself helplessly enthralled by your unexpected find an hour or two later. Still, nothing compares to discovering living, breathing, and downright deadly flying landmarks that desperately want you dead.

Many dragons roost in specific places, guarding fabled words of power that unlock the most powerful attacks. Performing these "shouts" fills enemies with fear, turns you invisible, calls down lightning, flash-freezes monsters, and much more. Having such potent syllables at your service is like possessing an unseen and god-like third arm that smites opponents at your whim. Only after completing the main quest line do your available powers seem to make you a virtual deity among men, but once you are, it’s ridiculously fulfilling to send draconic powers hurtling back at their menacing native speakers.

Not all dragons are content to call one particular spot home, though. Some are itinerant troublemakers, and live to attack towns, forts, and even other monsters. As engaging as your many quests are, scripted events can't compare to the wonderful chaos that periodically erupts out in the wilds. We watched one dragon do furious (unsuccessful) battle with a roaming giant and his pet mammoths. Another winged jerk-o'-the-skies pissed off a group of Forsworn tribesmen, moved on to a nearby Imperial camp, and then faced our champion in a frenzied four-way battle royale that lasted a good 20 minutes.

There's even more to do when you aren't out in the field kicking ass. Create your own legendary gear from scratch with mining, smelting, blacksmithing, leatherworking, and enchanting systems. Gather fruits, vegetables, and animal meat to cook up restorative meals. Collect mushrooms, butterfly wings, troll fat, and tons of other raw materials, then experiment with potions at an alchemical workstation. You can even buy a house, get married, steal anything that isn't bolted down, and escape from the resulting prison sentence.

In short, Skyrim is the kind of game you can completely lose yourself in for at least a hundred hours, even if you somehow manage to complete the main quest in fewer than twenty. If you aren't normally drawn to role-playing games, get over it — to miss out on this extraordinary gaming experience would be positively criminal.

PUBLISHER: Bethesda Softworks  •  DEVELOPER: Bethesda Game Studios  •  ESRB: Mature  •  MULTIPLAYER: None  •  ACHIEVEMENTS: Time-consuming  •  COST: $60

On Xbox 360

+ Huge and beautiful world of rich culture, rewarding quests, and unpredictable encounters.

+ Eminently versatile and entertaining combination of melee, magic, stealth, and ranged combat.

+ Epic battles against fearsome dragons; flexible skill progression; deep crafting systems.

? Why can't you jump while sprinting?

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